Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon
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Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon - TriathlonSprint
View Member's Race Log
Swim
Comments: First O/W swim. Fun. Stayed WELL left of the group, got in a groove early, sighted probably too much, but stayed on course very well due to it. Took each turn tight with a little breaststroke to avoid contact. No drafting because I was so far outside everyone else (5 yards or so). Pleased with performance here, passed many of those from previous wave. On exit from the water, the little cramp in my right calf returned, with a vengance. What would you do differently?: More confidence to join the pack. Bilateral breathing would help. Transition 1
Comments: Uphill exit from transition made it very difficult to smoothly get going. No timing mat at exit from T1, so T1 time INCLUDED in bike split. This seemed to go fast, until it was time to get on the bike. What would you do differently?: Run with bike up the hill, then mount. Bike
Comments: The small cramp in my right calf MULTIPLIED, and spread to the left calf. This ride HURT. I could NOT pedal on the down hill slopes, and couldn't apply much power on the flats (at all). I had to get as aero as possible and coast downhill, then put it in an easy gear to keep speed on the flats. Interestingly, uphill didn't hurt as much, so I seemed to play back and forth with a couple of riders through the course (I'd pass them going uphill, they'd pass me back on the flats.) Near the end, there was one short steep hill where I left them behind. Naturally, during all of this, the three of us were getting steadily passed by others. Tried to drink lots of gatorade, thinking the electrolytes and sugar might help with the cramps; it didn't. Not pleased with this performance. The cramps really prevented me from executing what I had hoped to be a good ride, and I got really freaked out in the last 2 miles when I began to think about how the cramps were going to affect the run split. What would you do differently?: I will sell my soul, ride a century into a headwind, have unsedated colonoscopy; hell, I'd do ANYTHING to avoid having the muscle spasms I suffered with during this race. Fortunately, I'm certain that the fix is much simpler than any of the things listed above. Transition 2
Comments: This is where it all fell apart. The calf cramps I had on the bike EXPLODED as soon as I tried to walk after getting off. I had to walk on TIPTOES back to the rack, and tears were spilling by the time I got my running shoes on. This was very demoralizing. I spent a full minute stretching my calves, which didn't seem to help and I began to think about quitting... "suck it up, buttercup" came to mind, and I decided, to hell with the pain, I'm going to run anyway. What would you do differently?: I'm pretty sure the cramps were due to some stupid decisions made the night before this race (read: red wine and not enough water). Fluids, maybe some endurolytes prior. Run
Comments: By the time I ran/limped out of transition, the cramps/spasms in my calves were either easing off, or I was no longer aware of them. While running, I felt that I was doing poorly, but this time is actually my best 5k time (including those I've done without swimming/cycling prior). I wonder what the time might've been had I not had the problems with the calves. By mile 2, my legs finally felt like mine again, so I increased the speed; but did this too early and had nothing left for the small hill by the finish. Was passed by a few just prior to the finish. What would you do differently?: Hydrate, or rather, avoid dehydration the night prior to the race. Save the kick for closer to the finish. Post race
Warm down: After the finish, the cramps/spasms returned with a vengance. Spent much time tring to stretch them out, to no avail. Met several folks from Richmond who did the race as well as Mark from BT (who smoked the course, BTW). What limited your ability to perform faster: The stupid cramps. Event comments: I'll do this one again next year if my schedule allows. The lake was a nice intro to O/W because of lack of waves and current. It would've been nice if it had been a few degrees warmer. Last updated: 2005-02-06 12:00 AM
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2005-05-09 3:08 PM |
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2005-05-09 4:59 PM in reply to: #154992 |
2005-05-10 1:53 AM in reply to: #154992 |
General Discussion-> Race Reports! |
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United States
Set Up Inc
62F / 17C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 143/272
Age Group = 35-39 Male
Age Group Rank = 28/46
Arrived early enough, got chip, setup transition, then got a little cramp in my right calf.
Easy 4 minute jog and light stretching, cramp disappeared quickly (only to return with its friends later.)